Koryta Spring

The Koryta spring nature monument covers 21.44 ha in Stavropol’s block 329 at Mamay Forest edge. Established on 4 November 1984 to protect the former limestone quarry landscape and biodiversity. In the late 18th–early 19th century the spring was called “Stoylo” — a halt for carriages approaching the city. It became “Koryta” for huge stone troughs cut into the rock. Records say it yielded over 2,700 buckets daily; an oak pipeline with hoops ran from it. In the 19th century an arch of shell limestone was built, settling tanks and cement baths added. Water bursts forcefully from under the rock — typical karst on the Stavropol Plateau. Today Koryta is a rare urban nature monument where water-supply history is readable in stone. A short, informative stop near Stavropol — not a spa narzan.